Underwater mining



Feb. 7, 1967 w. A. HIMES 3,302,315

UNDERWATER MINING Filed April 10, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR UMLUAM AHMEs ATTORNEYfi Feb. 7, 1967 w. A. HIMES 3,

' UNDERWATER MINING Filed April 10, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR uMLuAM AHMES ATTORNEKS Feb. 7, 1967 I W.A. HIMES Q 3,302,315

UNDERWATER MINING Filed April 10, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l3 I08 iol o7 N n- M L w jQEf" INVENTOR LUlLUAM A. HMEs ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1967 w. A. HIMES UNDERWATER MINiNG 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 10, 1964 INVENTOR UMLuAM A.H\MEs AT'TORNEY United States Patent 3,302,315 UNDERWATER MINING William A. Himes, Newport News, Va., assignor to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va., a corporation of Virginia Filed Apr. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 358,877 11 Claims. (Cl. 3772) The present invention relates to underwater mining, and more particularly to mining operations which are carried out at great depths beneath the surface of the water. The underwater mining operations contemplated in the present invention are particularly concerned with the mining and recovering of solid substances from the floors and subfioor regions of the sea.

The apparatus as illustrated in detail in the present application is also generally illustrated and described in co-pending US. patent application Serial No. 332,999 filed December 24, 1963 wherein the specific structure as illustrated in the instant application is shown in combination with other components employed in an over-all underwater mining operation.

While the apparatus of the present invention may be utilized in other applications, it is especially adapted for use in underwater mining operations for recovering materials such as manganese nodules or other solid materials which generally are present at depths from about 400 feet to 12,000 feet or more beneath the surface of the sea.

It is accordingly apparent that the apparatus must be capable of operation at great depths and under very high pressures when submerged to the necessary operating depths in this type of operation.

This type of mining operation is carried out from a ship which moves along the surface with a hollow conduit means or pipe means suspended therefrom in a generally vertical direction and having a suitable collecting means at the lower end thereof for sweeping or traversing a particular area of the sea bottom and collecting the desired material. This material is then suitably raised to the ship as by the utilization of pumping means which produces movement of a stream of liquid from the collecting means to the ship of sufficient velocity to entrain the solid material and carry the solid material to the ship.

In order to accommodate for variations in the contour of the bottom of the sea, the hollow conduit or pipe means suspended from the ship is not directly connected with the collecting means, but rather a truss interconnection is provided between the lower end of the pipe and the collecting means, this truss means being pivotally interconnected at one end thereof with the pipe and being pivotally connected at the opposite end thereof with the collecting means. The present invention is directed to the hinge connection and conduit means which is utilized between opposite ends of the truss and the components associated therewith which may be either the lower end of the pipe means or the collecting means.

Since the collecting means is of a type which is adapted to move along the bottom on wheels, skids or the like, the collecting head will have a tendency to rise and fall and tilt in accordance with the particular contour of the sea bottom over which it is passing. On the other hand, the pipe means is suspended from the ship in a generally vertical direction, and accordingly it becomes necessary to provide pivotal interconnections at opposite ends of the truss with the associated components which permits a more or less universal movement such that each of the hinge connections provides for movement about two pivotal axes which extend in directions substantially normal to one another. This arrangement allows the collecting means to be effectively towed along the bottom by the "ice ship, and yet at the same time permits the collecting means to adapt itself to the terrain of the sea bottom.

The solid material to be collected and raised by the mining apparatus of the present invention may be of substantial size and weight, and in a typical example where manganese nodules are concerned, the solid nodules collected according to the present invention are generally spherical in configuration and may range in size up to about 8 inches in diameter with a specific gravity of approximately 2. Although such nodules occur in larger sizes, it is anticipated that mining of such nodules up to the size of about 8 inches in diameter may prove to be the most economical and efiicient arrangement. In any event, it is apparent that the size of the mining equipment must be on a grand scale to accommodate a large volume of relatively big solid particles, and the conduit means must be of a size to allow these large numbers of solid particles to readily pass therethrough. In a typical example, the conduit means may have an inner diameter of about 19 inches.

It is accordingly evident that the pipe means is quite large, and the collecting means will also be of a large dimension, and may for example be approximately 19 feet wide and about 21 /2 feet in length. The truss means interconnecting the lower end of the pipe means with the collecting means may have a length on the order of feet.

It is accordingly apparent that the hinge connection and conduit means of the present invention is associated with very large and heavy components where great stresses may be developed, and accordingly, it is necessary to provide a very strong and rugged hinge connection means. In addition, it is a particular object of the invention to provide an arrangement where-by the truss means is adapted to pivot through an angle of at least ninety degrees with respect to each of the components with which it is associated, and accordingly the hinge connections of the present invention are particularly designed to permit this degree of movement.

In order to accomplish the desired degrees of movement about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes in each hinge connection of the present invention, the conduit means associated with each hinge connection and adapted to interconnect conduit portions supported by the truss means and either the pipe means or the collecting means includes a pair of rigid portions and a pair of flexible portions, the rigid portions being interconnected with one another by a swivel joint which provides an effective fluid-- tight seal therebetween but which permits relative swivel movement through a substantial angle, the flexible portions serving to permit a limited degree of movement between the rigid portions of the conduit means which are interconnected thereby.

In addition, it is important to consider the fact that the various components which are to be hingedly interconnected by the arrangement of the present invention are all adapted to be stowed on a ship and to be assembled and disassembled with respect to one another as required. Accordingly, it is important to provide an arrangement which permits ready assembly and disassembly of the associated components.

In the present invention, the hinge connection and conduit means includes a separate body means incorporating a plurality of hinge connections so that it is adapted to be pivotally interconnected between a pair of components, the body means also serving to support conduit means which is so constructed and arranged that it can readily turn and swivel as required while at the same time retaining a fluid-tight relationship with conduit portions supported by the associated components so as to maintain a continuous seal conduit connection. The hinge connection means of the body means can be quickly and easily connected with the associated components by means of removable hinge pins which can be simply slipped into and out of place in a facile manner.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and novel hinge connection and conduit means especially adapted for use in underwater mining operations and where it is required to provide a hinge connection between large heavy components where great stresses may be developed.

Another object of the invention is to provide hinge connection and conduit means which enables two inter- Connected components to have relative movement with respect to one another about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of hinge connection and conduit means for use in underwater mining operations wherein the component associated with the body means of the invention is mounted for movement through an angle of at least ninety degrees about one of the pivotal axes of movement, the component also being mounted for relatively limited movement about the other of said axes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide hinge connection and conduit means which may be readily assembled with respect to associated components simply by the insertion and removal of hinge pins.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of hinge connection and conduit means which is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is quite sturdy and reliable in use.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a broken away view illustrating the general assembly of a pair of hinge connection and conduit means adapted to be connected between large and heavy components;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hinge connection and conduit means shown at the left hand portion of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 66 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view illustrating different positions of the associated component with respect to the hinge connection and conduit means shown in FIGS. 2 through 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the hinge connection and conduit means shown at the right hand portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along 9-9 of FIG. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along 10-10 of FIG. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the upper portion of the hinge connection and conduit means shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the position of the associated component with respect to the hinge connection and conduit means when rotated ninety degrees from the position shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown particularly in FIG. 1 a truss means indicated generally by reference numeral 20. This truss means includes lower longitudinally extending frame members 21 and upper corresponding parallel spaced frame members 22, these upper and lower frame members being interconnected by cross brace frame members 25, all of these members being rigidly interconnected as by welding or the like and being formed of relatively heavy aluminum members to thereby provide an elongated rigid truss of relatively conventional construction. An elongated conduit portion 27 is formed of rigid pipe and may for example be of approximately 19% inches inner diameter, the pipe being supported at the lower portion of the truss and being suit-ably fixed in position. A pair of tie bars 29 and 30 are connected to one end of the truss as by suitable bolts or the like, these tie bars being adapted to be pivotally interconnected with the body means hereinafter described.

The body means is indicated generally by reference numeral 35 and is substantially triangular in plan configuration as seen for example in FIGS. 2 and 5, the body means including a pair of side members indicated generally by 36 and 37 which have connected therebetween a base member indicated generally by 40. Each of members 36, 3'7 and 40 are formed as channel members, member 36 including a pair of laterally extending flanges 36' and 36 along the upper and lower edges thereof, while member 37 includes a pair of laterally outwardly extending flanges 37 and 37 formed along the upper and lower edges respectively. The base member 40 includes upper and lower flange portions 40 and 40" as seen most clearly in FIG. 4. The opposite end portions of member 40 are suitably rigidly fixed to the inwardly facing surfaces of members 36 and 37 as by Welding or the like.

First hinge connection means is provided at the apex portion of the generally triangular shaped body means 35 and takes the form of a pair of substantially triangular shaped flat plates which are disposed substantially parallel with one another and have the side portions thereof suit-- ably secured as by welding to the inwardly facing surfaces of members 36 and 37. These parallel plates 42 and 44 have aligned openings formed therein which are adapted to receive a removable hinge pin 46 which is secured in its operative position as seen for example in FIGS. 3 and 4 by means of lock screws 48 which are threaded through openings provided in the enlarged head of the hinge pin and into suitable threaded openings provided in the lower plate 42. An enlarged portion 50 is provided on a member 51 which in turn is adapted to be secured to the collecting means which is indicated in phantom line as indicated at 52 in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The enlarged portion 50 is provided with an opening which snugly receives the hinge pin 46 such that the body means 35 is pivotally interconnected with the collecting means for pivotal movernent about the axis A-A.

A second hinge connection means includes a first pair of spaced parallel plates 55 and 56 and a second pair of spaced parallel plates 57 and 58, each of these plates being suitably secured as by welding to the vertically extending wall of member 40. A first lower plate 60 is secured to the lower surface of plates 55 and 56 as well as to the lower surface of members 40 and 36. A second similar plate 61 is secured to the lower surface of plates 57 and 58 as well as to the lower surface of members 40 and 37. Plates 60 and 61 are suitably fixed in operative position as by welding or the like.

Plates 60 and 61 may be received in a suitable track means as indicated generally by reference numeral 62 in FIG. 4 of the drawings, this track means being suitably supported upon the associated collecting means to thereby retain the body means 35 at operative position relative to the associated collecting means component, and yet at the same time permitting relative rotation therebetween. It will be noted that the forward edges of plates 60 and 61 are of arcuate configuration and may be received in a complementary arcuate track means to permit swinging movement about the axis AA previously described.

A first plate 64 is connected with the upper surfaces of members 40 and 35 as by welding or the like and is also welded to the sloping upper surfaces of plates 55 and 56. In a like manner, a plate 65 is secured by welding to the upper edge portions of members 40 and 37 and is also welded to the sloping upper surfacesof plates 57 and 58. It is evident that the over-all construction of the body means is such as to provide a rigid open framework including reinforcing plate means at the corners of the .generally triangular shaped body means to provide a very strong structure.

Plates 55, 515, 57 and 58 have aligned openings formed therethrough, a first removable hinge pin 70 extending through the aligned openings in plates 55 and 56 and an aligned opening in the enlarged portion 30 connected to the outer end of tie bar 30, hinge pin 70 being retained in operative position by a plurality of lock screws 71 which extend through suitable openings in the enlarged head of the hinge pin and in through suitable threaded openings provided in plate 55. A second hinge pin 72 extends through aligned openings provided in plates 57 and 58 and also through an opening provided in the enlarged end portion 29 of the tie bar 29. Hinge pin 72 is retained in operative position by a plurality of locking screws 73 extending through suitable openings provided in the enlarged head of the hinge pin and into suitable threaded openings provided in plate 58. -It will be noted that the second hinge connection means provides for pivotal movement between the body means and the associated components through the intermediary of tie bars 29 and 30, such pivotal movement occurring about the second pivotal axis BB.

The conduit means supported by the body means includes a pair of relatively movable rigid portions 80 and 81 each of which are arcuate in configuration and generally S-shaped. These relatively rigid portions are interconnected at one end thereof, the said ends of the first portion 80 having an annular recess formed therein which receives a reduced annular portion on the end of portion 81. Portion 80 of the conduit means is provided with a laterally extending annular flange .portion 82 while the end portion of portion 81 is provided with a laterally extending annular flange means 83 which extends outwardly a considerably less distance than the annular flange portion 82. These flange portions 82 and 83 are maintained in sealing contact with one another by means of a split retainer ring indicated by reference numeral 85, this retainer ring being held in operative position by means of nut and bolt assemblies 86 which extend through suitable openings provided in the split retaining ring and the flange portion 82. This interconnection between the end portions of rigid portions 80 and 81 of the conduit means provides a swivel joint which insures a good fluid-tight seal at all times and yet at the same time enables free swivelling movement of portion 81 with respect to portion 80. While the swivel joint will ordinarily permit swivelling through an angle of 360, it is incorporated in the present construction to insure that portion 81 can swivel through an angle of at least ninety degrees which is necessary for proper operation of the apparatus.

Portion 80 of the condiut means is suitably fixed to the body means and extends through a cutout 90 formed in wall portion 49 of the body means. A bracket member 92 which may be substantially U-shaped in configuration is fixed to the wall portion 49 and to the conduit portion 80 as by welding or the like so as to fixedly interconnect these members. A second bracket member 94 is also fixedly secured to the portion 80 of the conduit means and may be fixed to the plate 44 for securing these members to one another. It is apparent that the conduit portion 80 is fixed to the body means, while the conduit portion 81 is swivelly interconnected with portion 80 of the conduit means and freely movable with respect to the body means.

A pair of flexible sections of the conduit means are provided and are indicated by reference numerals 96 and 97, these flexible portions of the conduit means being formed of a suitable resilient material such as rubber or the like. The flexible sections 96 and 97 are intercontruss structure.

nected with the opposite ends of the rigid portions 81 and respectively, the flexible sections being held in operative position on these end portions of the rigid parts of the conduit means by means of encircling metal bands 98 and 99 which may be adjusted in a well-known manner for tightly clamping the flexible sections in place.

These flexible sections are adapted to be connected in a similar manner as by metal bands or the like to the conduit portions of the associated components. In other words, flexible section 96 is adapted to be connected with the conduit portion 27 of the truss structure, while the flexible section 97 is adapted to be interconnected with a conduit portion interconnected with the collecting means of the mining apparatus. It will be noted that the axes AA and 3-13 are disposed in mutually perpendicular relationship to one another and are offset to one another, or in other words, they lie in planes which extend substantially perpendicular to one another. This enables the desired degree of relative movement between the truss means and the collecting means secured to the lower end thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 812 inclusive, the hinge connection and conduit means at the opposite end of the truss is illustrated, this modification including a rigid body means which is substantially frusto-conical in configuration and which includes an inwardly extending annular flange 106 at the bottom thereof, reinforcing gusset plates 107 being provided for rigidifying flange portion 106 such that the flange portion is adapted to rest on the sea bottom and support the structure thereabove. A cutout portion 108 is provided in the lower part of one side of the frusto-conically shaped body means 105, this cutout portion 108 providing clearance for the truss so that the truss can swing from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 12 during normal operation of the apparatus.

Approximately midway in the height of the body means,

a cross member 110 is provided of channel-shaped crosssectional configuration, cross channel member 110 havin the opposite ends thereof secured as by welding to the inner surface of the body means. A first pair of gusset plates 112 and 114 are secured to the inner surface of the body means and to opposite sides of the cross channel member, a second pair of similar gusset plates 116 and 118 also being secured to the inner surface of the body means and to the opposite side edge portions of the cross channel member 110, thereby rigidifying and strengthening the cross channel member construction.

A first hinge connection means includes a first pair of spaced parallel plates 120 and 121 which are secured to and depend from the under surface of the cross channel member 110, and a second pair of similar plate members 122 and 123 also are secured to and depend from the under surface of cross channel member 110. All of the plates 120, 121, 122 and 123 are provided with aligned openings, a first removable hinge pin 125 being mounted within the aligned openings formed in plates 122 and 123 and extending through an aligned opening provided in the enlarged portion 100 connected with the outer end of the tie bar 100 which in turn is connected with the truss structure. A removable hinge pin 125 is retained in its operative position as seen in FIG. 8 for example by means of the locking screws 126 which extend through openings provided in the enlarged head of the hinge pin and into suitable threaded openings provided in plate 123.

A hinge pin 129 extends through the aligned openings in plates 120 and 121, and also extends through the aligned opening in an enlarged portion 101' at the outer end of tie bar 101 which in turn is connected with the Hinge pin 129 is retained in its operative position as shown by means of the lock screws 130 which extend through suitable openings provided in the enlarged head of the hinge pin and extend into suitable threaded openings provided in plate 120.

It will be noted that this hinge connection provides a pivotal interconnection between the body means 105 and the truss structure for pivotal movement about the axis indicated by CC as seen for example in FIGS. 8 and 10 of the drawings.

The lower end of the pipe or conduit means depending from the ship traveling on the surface is indicated generally by reference numeral 135, a pair of diametrically opposite vertically extending plates 136 and 137 being rigidly secured by welding to the outer periphery of the pipe means. A first pair of reinforcing gusset plates 138 are positioned on opposite sides of plate 136 and are connected between plate 136 and the outer periphery of the pipe means, and a second pair of similar reinforcing gusset plates 130 are provided. A vertically depending plate 140 is secured to the outer portions of members 136, 138 and 139, and an enlarged portion 140 is provided at the lower end of member 140. A substantially horizontally extending stop bar member 141 is provided, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

A pair of reinforcing plates 145 similar to plates 138 are associated with vertically extending pipe 137, and a second pair of plates 146 similar to plates 139 are provided. A vertically extending plate 147 is connected to the outer portions of members 137, 145 and 146 and is provided with an enlarged portion 147 at the lower end thereof. A stop bar 148 which is disposed in a substantially horizontally extending position parallel with stop bar 141 is secured to the outer surface of plate 147.

The body means 105 includes a second hinge connection means comprising a first pair of spaced plates 150 and 151, and a second pair of spaced plates 152 and 153. These spaced plates each have their opposite edges rigidly secured as by welding to the inner surface of the body means 105 at the lower portions of these plates, the upper portions of these plates extending upwardly above the body means. A pair of diametrically opposite cutout portions 155 are provided in the upper portion of the frusto-conical shaped body means 105, these cutout portions permitting relative pivotal movement between the body means and the pipe means pivotally interconnected therewith.

All of the plates 150, 151, 152 and 153 are provided with aligned openings, a first hinge pin 160 being mounted within the aligned openings in plates 150 and 151 and extending through an opening formed in the enlarged portion 140' at the lower end of plate 140. Hinge pin 160 is retained in operative position by a pair of lock screws 161 which extend through suitable openings provided in the enlarged head of the hinge pin and extending into threaded openings provided in plate 150.

A second removable hinge pin 164 is mounted within the aligned openings provided in plates 152 and 153 and extends through an opening formed in the lower enlarged end 147' of plate 147. Hinge pin 164 is retained in operative position by a pair of lock screws 165 which extend through suitable Openings provided in the enlarged head of hinge pin 164 and extend into threaded openings provided in plate 153.

It will be noted that the hinge pins 160 and 164 provide a pivotal interconnection between the lower end of the pipe means suspended from the ship and the body means 105, the pivotal axis of this interconnection being indicated by line DD in FIG. 9 of the drawings. It will be noted that the pivotal axes C and D of the modification illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 12 inclusive are disposed in mutually perpendicular relationship and are offset from one another, or in other words, they lie in planes which extend perpendicular to each other. This provides a desired degree of movement between the interconnected components, namely the pipe means and the truss structure in this instance.

As seen particularly in FIG. 11, it will be noted that the upper surface 153' of the plate 153 slopes outwardly from the midpoint of the plate and downwardly toward the opposite side edges thereof. The under surface of the stop bar 148 fixed to the lower end of the pipe means is adapted to engage the upper surface 153 of plate 153 and thereby limit pivotal movement of the pipe means with respect to the body means in either direction of relative movement. In a similar manner, the stop bar 141 is adapted to engage the upper surface of plate 150, the upper surface 150 being of identical configuration to the upper surface 153 of the plate 153. In this manner, movements of the lower end of the pipe means relative to the body means is positively limited in opposite directions of relative movement.

The conduit means associated with body means 105 includes a pair of relatively movable rigid portions and 171 which may have an inner diameter of approximately l9 /s inches as does the remaining conduit portions of the apparatus, portion 170 having an outwardly radially extending annular flange 172 at one end thereof, while portion 171 has a similar outwardly extending annular flange 173 which extends outwardly a considerably less distance than flange portion 172. Flange portions 172 and 173 are maintained in sealing engagement with one another by means of a split retaining ring 175 which is held in operative position by a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 176 extending through suitable openings provided in the split retaining ring and the flange means 172. With this arrangement, a good fluid-tight seal is provided between the abutting end portions of the conduit portions 170 and 171, and they are permitted to freely swivel with respect to one another. This swivel interconnection between the adjacent ends of the rigid portions of the conduit means allows the movable rigid portion 171 to swing through an angle of at least ninety degrees with respect to the rigid portion 170 which is fixedly secured to the body means.

In order to retain the portion 170 of the conduit means in fixed relationship to the body means 105, a first bracket member 180 is fixed to the cross channel member 110 and the outer periphery of portion 170, and a second bracket member 181 is fixed to the lower ends of plates 151 and 152 and to the outer periphery of the portion 170. Each of these bracket members may be substantially U-shaped in configuration, or if desired, they may be formed to extend substantially all the way around the outer periphcry of the rigid portion 170 of the conduit means.

The conduit means associated with body means 105 includes a first flexible section 185 formed of a suitable resilient material such as rubber or the like, this flexible section being connected with the lower end of the pipe means 135 by means of a split metal band 186 which is adapted to be tightened into clamping position, the opposite end of flexible section 185 being connected with the upper end of the rigid portion 170 of the conduit means by means of a split metal clamping band 187.

A second flexible section 190 is provided, this section being formed of resilient material such as rubber as is section 185, a first split metal band 191 being employed for afiixing section 190 to the rigid portion 171 of the conduit means, and a second metal band 192 being prov ded for clamping the opposite end of the flexible sect1on to the conduit portion 27 supported on the truss.

As seen particularly in FIG. 10, the side wall portion of the body means 105 is provided with a pair of access openings 200 and 201 through which access may be gained to the outer portions of the hinge pins 125 and 129 so that these hinge pins can be readily assembled and disassembled through the access openings. The access openings are normally covered by means of plates 200 and 203 respectively which are retained in operative position by means of screws 204 and 205 which are threaded through suitable openings provided in the plates and into the threaded openings provided in the outer surface of the'body means 105.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according to the present invention new and novel hinge connection and conduit means which is particularly suited for use in underwater mining for interconnecting a plurality of large and heavy components including conduit portions which are to be interconnected. The hinge connections are of such a construction so as to withstand large loading and stressing, each hinge connection being so constructed and arranged as to allow relative pivotal movement between a pair of interconnected components, such pivotal movement occurring about a pair of axes which are mutually perpendicular to one another and which are offset and lie in planes which extend perpendicular to one another. This allows the components to have the desired degree of relative movement, provision being made for allowing at least ninety degrees of movement about one of the pivotal axes. The arrangement is such as to permit ready assembly and disassembly of the hinge connection with respect to a pair of associated components simply by inserting or removing the hinge pins which can be done in a simple and effective manner. The structure of the present invention is quite simple and inexpensive, and yet at the same time is quite sturdy and reliable in use.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. A hinge connection and conduit means for use between a plurality of large and heavy components including conduit portions to be interconnected comprising a body means, said body means including first hinge connection means for hingedly connecting the body means to a first component, said body means also including second hinge connection means for hingedly connecting the body means to another component, conduit means supported by said body means and being adapted for connection to the conduit means of associated components, the conduit means supported by said body means including a plurality of relatively movable portions of generally S-shaped configuration and swivel joint means interconnecting adjacent ends of said portions for movement relative to one, another while maintaining a continuous fluid tight seal therebet'ween.

2. A hinge connection and conduit means for use between a plurality of large and heavy components including conduit portions to be interconnected comprising, a rigid body means, said body means including a first hinge connection means for pivotally connecting the body means with a component for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, said body means including second hinge connection means for connecting said body means for pivotal movement with respect to a second component about a second pivotal axis, said pivotal axes lying in different planes, conduit means supported by said body means and being adapted to be connected with the conduit portions of associated components, said conduit means including a plurality of relatively movable rigid portions of generally S-shaped configuration, and swivel joint means interconnecting said portions for relative movement through a substantial angle relative to one another and maintaining a continuous fluid tight seal between said conduit portions at all times.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivotal axes are disposed in planes extending substantially perpendicular to one another.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said conduit means includes portions formed of resilient material and interconnected with said rigid portions for permitting relative movement between said rigid portions and conduit portions of associated components.

5. A hinge connection and conduit means for use between a plurality of large and heavy components including conduit portions to be interconnected comprising, a body means formed as a rigid open framework, said body means including first hinge connection means for pivotally interconnecting said body means with a first component for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, said body means also including second hinge connection means for pivotally interconnecting said body means with a second component for pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, said pivotal axes lying in planes extending substantially normally to one another, conduit means supported by said body means and including a plurality of generally S-shaped rigid portions, swivel joint means interconnecting said rigid portions at one end thereof with one another for relative movement therebetween and providing a permanent fluid-tight seal between said ends of the rigid portions and permitting swivel movement therebetween through a substantial angle, said conduit means also including a plurality of flexible portions formed of resilient material, said flexible portions being connected with the opposite ends of each of said rigid portions of the conduit means and being adapted to be Connected with conduit portions of associated components.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said hinge connection means comprises a pair of spaced plates having aligned openings formed therethrough, said aligned openings being adapted to receive removable hinge pins therein for interconnecting said spaced plate means with portions of associated components.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said rigid portions of the conduit means is movable with respect to the body means, and means rigidly inten connecting the other rigid portion of said conduit means with said body means.

8. A hinge connection and conduit means for use between a plurality of large and heavy components including conduit portions to be interconnected comprising, a body means formed as a substantially triangular shaped open framework, said framework including a cross channel member, a first hinge connection means including two pairs of spaced parallel plates having aligned openings formed therethrough and supported by said cross channel member, said first hinge connection means being adapted to pivotally interconnect the body means with an associated component for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, said body means including a second hinge connection means comprising a pair of spaced parallel plates extending in a plane substantially normally to the plane of said first pairs of plates, the plates of said second hinge connection means having aligned openings formed therethrough for receiving removable hinge pins for pivotally interconnecting said body means with an associated component for pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, said pivotal axes lying in planes disposed substantially perpendicular to one another, conduit means supported by said body means, said conduit means including a pair of relatively movable rigid portions, each of said rigid portions being substantially S-shaped in configuration, said cross channel member having a hole formed therethrough, one of said rigid portions extending through said hole, means rigidly afiixing said one portion of said conduit means to said body means, one end portion of each of said rigid portions being interconnected with one another, swivel joint means interconnecting said one ends of said rigid portions for permitting swivel movement of the other said rigid portions through an angle of at least ninety degrees with respect to said one rigid portion while maintaining a fluid-tight seal between said end portions of said rigid portions, said conduit means including a pair of flexible sections, each of said flexible sections being formed of resilient material and being connected with the opposite end portions of each of said rigid portions and being adapted to be connected with the conduit portions of associated components.

9. A hinge connection and conduit means for use between a plurality of large and heavy components including conduit portions to be interconnected comprising, a rigid body means including a substantially frusto-conical portion having a cutout formed in one side portion thereof for providing clearance with an associated component, said body means including a cross channel member for reinforcing the body means, first hinge connection means supported at the upper portion of said frustoconical portion of the body means, said first hinge connection means including two pairs of spaced parallel plates having aligned openings formed therethrough for receiving removable hinge pins for pivotally interconnecting the body means with a first component for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, second hinge connection means supported by said cross channel member and comprising two pairs of spaced parallel plates having aligned openings formed therethrough for receiving removable hinge pins for pivotally interconnecting the body means with a second component for pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, said pivotal axes lying in planes disposed substantially normally to one another, conduit means supported by said body means, said con-- duit means including a plurality of relatively movable rigid portions, said cross channel member having a hole formed therethrough, one of said rigid portions extending through said hole, means rigidly fixing said one rigid portion to said cross channel member for preventing relative movement therebetween, a swivel joint connection being provided between one end portion of each of said rigid portions for providing a continuous fluid-tight seal therebetween and for permitting swivelling movement of one of said rigid portions through an angle of atleast ninety degrees with respect to the other rigid portion, said conduit means including a pair of flexible sections formed of resilient material, said flexible sections being connected with the opposite ends of said rigid portions and being adapted to be connected with conduit portions of associated components.

10. A hinge connection and conduit means for use between a plurality of large and heavy components comprising a first relatively rigid component, a first rigid conduit portion of arcuate configuration supported by and fixedly securedto said first component, a second relatively rigid component, a second rigid conduit portion of arcuate configuration supported by and fixedly secured to said second component, body means comprising a rigid open framework, first hinge connection means providing a pivotal interconnection between said first component and one end portion of said body means for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, second hinge connection means providing a pivotal interconnection between said second component and the opposite end portion of said body means for relative pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, said pivotal axes being spaced a substantial distance from one another, conduit means supported by said body means, a pair of further rigid conduit portions of arcuate configuration, each of said last-mentioned pair of conduit portions being swivelly interconnected with one end of one of said firstmentioned conduit portions to permit relative swivel movement therebetween through a substantial angle and yet providing a continuous fluid-tight seal therebetween, and a pair of flexible conduit sections each of which is connected between one end portion of the conduit means supported by said body means and one of said pair of rigid conduit portions to provide a flexible interconnection between the associated members.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including a further pair of flexible conduit sections formed of resilient material, each of said last-mentioned flexible sections being connected with one end portion of the rigid conduit portion supported by one of said components.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 366,468 7/1887 Edwards et al. 3763 503,732 8/1893 Bates 3772 651,781 6/1900 Esterly 37-58 704,231 7/1902 Bates 3772 2,963,801 12/1960 Ellicott 37-72 FOREIGN PATENTS 213,177 6/1960 Austria. 1,295,430 5/1962 France.

CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

T. A. LISLE, w. SHEDD, Assistant Examiners. 

10. A HINGE CONNECTION AND CONDUIT MEANS FOR USE BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF LARGE AND HEAVY COMPONENTS COMPRISING A FIRST RELATIVELY RIGID COMPONENT, A FIRST RIGID CONDUIT PORTION OF ARCUATE CONFIGURATION SUPPORTED BY AND FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST COMPONENT, A SECOND RELATIVELY RIGID COMPONENT, A SECOND RIGID CONDUIT PORTION OF ARCUATE CONFIGURATION SUPPORTED BY AND FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID SECOND COMPONENT, BODY MEANS COMPRISING A RIGID OPEN FRAMEWORK, FIRST HINGE CONNECTION MEANS PROVIDING A PIVOTAL INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN SAID FIRST COMPONENT AND ONE END PORTION OF SAID BODY MEANS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A FIRST PIVOTAL AXIS, SECOND HINGE CONNECTION MEANS PROVIDING A PIVOTAL INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN SAID SECOND COMPONENT AND THE OPPOSITE END PORTION OF SAID BODY MEANS FOR RELATIVE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SECOND PIVOTAL AXIS, SAID PIVOTAL AXES BEING SPACED A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE FROM ONE ANOTHER, CONDUIT MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID BODY MEANS, A PAIR OF FURTHER RIGID CONDUIT PORTIONS OF ARCUATE CONFIGURATION, EACH OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED PAIR OF CONDUIT PORTIONS BEING SWIVELLY INTERCONNECTED WITH ONE END OF ONE OF SAID FIRSTMENTIONED CONDUIT PORTIONS TO PERMIT RELATIVE SWIVEL MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN THROUGH A SUBSTANTIAL ANGLE AND YET PROVIDING A CONTINUOUS FLUID-TIGHT SEAL THEREBETWEEN AND A PAIR OF FLEXIBLE CONDUIT SECTIONS EACH OF WHICH IS CONNECTED BETWEEN ONE END PORTION OF THE CONDUIT MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID BODY MEANS AND ONE OF SAID PAIR OF RIGID CONDUIT PORTIONS TO PROVIDE A FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATED MEMBERS. 